New Video Project with Donny
Oct 11th, 2007 by jeremy
For those that have known me through my association with Donny Osmond, you know I have enjoyed working with him on a variety of projects for his fans. Most notably I have enjoyed the opportunity to do a lot of photography, which has been a big part of my learning to become a better photographer along the way. If you do not know the history of how my book project with Donny came about, let me know and I’ll share it on a future post.
Earlier this year I began talking to Donny about a new idea I wanted to try, specifically to create a behind the scenes DVD that reached further than anything previously done. Much like the book, the emphasis would be to provide a perspective and insight to the fans not typically achieved. I wanted to tell the story of the fans as well, with insight from the long time and more recent fans, what it is like to be on tour and to follow Donny on tour. The ideas began flowing the more I talked about it, and Donny thought it was a great idea so it was put into motion.
Now remember I am a self-taught photographer, and video is a different animal. Midway through the developmental process I began feeling uneasy about my ability to pull of the project at the level I wanted to. I am always confident in my ability to learn new things, but life is different for me now compared to when I did the book project. Taking the time off to travel plus the complexity of learning the art of videography was beginning to look daunting. Along with that, I just couldn’t shake a nagging feeling that I shouldn’t be going on this trip.
Fortunately I have a friend that is much more skilled than I when it comes to camera work, so I gave him a call. He has the same passion for video work as I do for still photo work. Unfortunately he didn’t see how he could take the time off either, though he loved the idea of the project. After a couple of months of wearing him down though, he managed to find a way to make it work.
I am really grateful this worked out because of the recent problems with my son’s health, which would have precluded me going anyway. I would have been scrambling to try and find someone to take my place.
So, for those Donny fans that read here periodically, I introduce Jarond Suman who is boarding a plane tomorrow to join the UK tour to take what I am sure will be some amazing footage. I am very excited for this project to take shape, and a big part of it’s success will be Jarond’s interactions with you as fans. Look for him over there and have fun.
I’ll talk a bit more about the project as things go along, so watch for more details here and at Donny.com. This is going to be a very cool video that I hope a lot of people will enjoy. We are also planning on putting together a small tour book to go along with it, so my photography will also be a small part of it.
As always, I welcome your feedback and ideas to make this a better production!
Sounds interesting.
Will this be only from the UK fan/tour perspective or will any US footage and fan interaction be included. I think it might be interesting to see comparisons of the two fandoms. And also Donny’s views on touring in the two locations. I do love behind the scenes views!
Best of luck with the project Jeremy!
I agree! The US fans should be involved too! Could you ask Jarond if he could come to Vegas in Nov for Donny’s shows at the Orleans? Fans fly in from all over for these shows and it would be a fun perspective to ask fans what its like traveling from another country or state!
There will be US footage as well, though not as extensive as the UK footage simply due to the time that was available and when to shoot the video. It will be presented as a tour perspective, not specific to the UK. I should have titled that differently - sorry about that!
We are looking to be at the Vegas show and also have already started filming at the SLC show last month.
Hi Jeremy,
Sounds like a great idea..I look forward to catching up with your friend Jaron at my first show in Glasgow.
Best wishes…. Shelly
Jeremy this sounds like a great idea. Welcome to the UK Jaron we will be looking out for you! It’s always great fun following Donny on his tour. It will be fantastic to see some of it captured on video. Does this mean we have to behave sensibly in case we get ‘captured’, lol!
See you on the road Jaron.
Does sound great Jeremy! I wish I was going to Vegas to take part in any fan interviews. Since my phone call from Donny I do have such a different take on fandom.
Hi Jeremy
Was great to meet Jarond in SLC and to see you behind the camera again, we will look after him while he is over here,lol. If he gets here in time for Wembley dont forget to tell him about the eat and greet we are having at the Quality Hotel, Wembley which would be a great place to see the fans in action both before and after the show as we certainly know how to party.
DebbieT
Jeremy…..
If Jarond will be in Vegas, I am hosting a fan 50th Birthday Bowling party at the Orleans on the afternoon Nov 16th! We are celebrating all the fans who are turning 50 this year, along with Donny! This will be me, and my friend Peggy’s, 4th Fan Social Gathering we’ve hosted at the Orleans! We would love to invite Jarond where fans can share their thoughts of Donny’s 50th birthday and his long career! (I’ve rented the private party room for this event so it won’t be the noisy bowling ally in the back ground! lol ) If he is interested, let me know where I can send him the all the info….( tell him he’s also welcome to the food! We’re having Pizza and Subway sandwiches! )
Elaine - working directly at a man’s heart are ya? Offering food is just not fair…hehe. I’ll be sure and mention it. There is a chance if I can work things out that we might both be there. I’ll keep everyone posted.
Jeremy, this sounds a brilliant idea! Is Jarond ready for the crazy fans in UK? LOL! It’s always great fun waiting in lines, sharing Donny stories, meeting fellow fans in person for the first time (after knowing each other on the forums for years!), singing Donny songs etc. Will be fun to meet Jarond, please tell him we’ll be gentle with him! I’ve come over from Spain for the Wembley, Brighton and Bournemouth concerts this time so can’t wait to meet up with friends and see Donny again. Debbie’s idea of Jarond at the E & G at the Quality Hotel is perfect - we have a blast at those parties! Hope to see him there!
Funny, I’ve been e-mailing Donny for years on this subject. I want him to do a documentary from behind the scenes. Don’t ask the same old questions all the fans know. Interviewing fans would be great! interviewing family, not just the brothers. talk about music, writing, planning.
This sounds like a really good idea! I can’t wait. Brenda has some video from previous events, I know. I try my hardest to stay OFF camera though.
I’ll be there in Las Vegas and look forward to seeing you again Jeremy and meeting Jarond. Needless to say, I am a long-time fan.
Jeremy, that sounds fabulous.
You should keep up the video too…..I have become addicted to Adobe Premier Pro, where I can use pictures, video and secial efects to make some pretty cool videos. They make ffabulous birthday, annivrsary, wedding and special ocasion gifts and combine the creativity of photoraphy and video. So cool…you’d love it!